Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Clinical Pathology

One of the main aggressors is the abomasal nematode, Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus), which causes haemonchosis in sheep, goat and cattle. Most small ruminants are afflicted by this hematophagous, abomasal parasite and is being a major health concern in small ruminant farms in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Herein, the curative effect of the medicinal plant B. aegyptiaca fruit{u2019}s (desert date) ethanolic extract (BAF-EE) in comparison with the effects of a common commercial anthelmintic drug, albendazole, was evaluated on haemonchosis experimentally induced in goats. Twelve male, apparently healthy, 6 {u2013} 9 months old, Egyptian Baladi goats, weighting 15{u2013} 20 Kg were used. The goats were randomly divided into four equal groups as: G1 (infected-untreated), G2 (infected-BAF-EE treated), G3 (infected-albendazole treated), and G4 (uninfected-BAF-EE treated). Goats of G1, G2 and G3 were infected orally, each with 10,000 3rd stage infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus on zero experimental day. Goats of G1 were left untreated, while goats of G2 and G4 received a single oral dose of BAF-EE at the rate of 9g/Kg BW and goats of G3 were treated with a single oral dose of albendazole at the rate of 5mg/Kg BW on the 5th week post infection (PI), respectively. Hematological, serum biochemical, parasitological, pathological and tissues oxidant-antioxidant status of the experimental animals and phytochemical analysis of the BAF-EE were studied. Phytochemical study of the crude BAF-EE confirmed the presence of antioxidants and anti-parasitic compounds in the plant. Infected goats developed acute form of haemonchosis which was manifested mainly by anemia, thriftless and loss of appetite. Infection was associated with various degrees of alterations in hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters of goats. Level of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the tissues of abomasum and liver was also affected by infection

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